The Staff Tuition Reimbursement Assistance Program (STRAP) provides employees with an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge needed for career development and advancement. This program supports the Institute's commitment to foster professional growth and development of its eligible employees.  Course work must be applicable to a career at Georgia Tech. The policy is intended to served as an education benefit plan as described in Internal Revenue Code 127.

The policy may not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees as described by the IRS in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2025-49 for the calendar year. 

Employees are encouraged to use the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) whenever possible. However, if an employee is pursuing an accredited program not offered within the USG they may be reimbursed through STRAP for course work taken from accredited private educational institutions or Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) vocational / technical colleges that lead to a degree.  Employees attending USG institutions must use the USG TAP. STRAP benefits are reduced by graduate level course waived under the TAP program.

The plan year is from January 1 to December 31 of each calendar year.

STRAP funds are limited. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the approval of GTHR.

Eligibility
Benefits-eligible, full-time (1.0 FTE) staff (exempt and non-exempt) who have a minimum of one full year of employment with Georgia Tech by the STRAP application deadline date may apply for the program. Eligibility ends upon termination of employment at Georgia Tech. STRAP participants must be employed at Georgia Tech through the completion of the course in order to receive reimbursement. Eligible employees must submit a new application for consideration and approval by the deadline for each academic term. The deadline dates can be found at: http://ohr.gatech.edu/staff-tuition-reimbursement-assistance-program.

Work Schedule Arrangements
To the extent possible, employees should not take courses that would require them to be absent from work during regularly scheduled work hours. If attendance in an approved STRAP course requires that an employee be absent from their assigned workstation during normal work hours, various accommodations may be possible, depending upon the needs of the unit/department and of the employee. Supervisors are encouraged to make a reasonable effort to find an appropriate work schedule accommodation; however, alternate work arrangements are within the sole discretion of the immediate supervisor. The supervisor must ensure that the employee’s participation in STRAP will not adversely affect departmental services, or, result in undue hardship for other employees. 

Acceptable Courses and Schools
STRAP provides partial reimbursement for classified Georgia Tech employees seeking a degree at any accredited private institution. Courses must be taken at schools that are post-secondary institutions as described in 221(d)(2) and 25A(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Employees not living in the State of Georgia
Institute employees who reside outside the State of Georgia who are pursuing accredited degree programs not offered within the USG as distance learning may be eligible for reimbursement if enrolled in a public accredited institution.  Employees hired by the Institute who are in the process of relocating to the State of Georgia while currently enrolled in a program at a public institution outside of Georgia, may be eligible to complete their program with STRAP reimbursement provided the employee and their accredited classes are not transferable within the University System of Georgia. 

Course Work (Applies to degree programs)
Course work must be taken for academic credit toward completion of a degree and must be related to a career field at Georgia Tech. Each employee must meet the admission requirements of the educational institution, acquire approval from their immediate supervisor and department head, submit application by the deadline date, and receive approval from GTHR for each course to be reimbursed. Non-credit continuing education courses, non-credit certificate programs, and Executive Programs are not eligible for reimbursement.

Please contact the Administrative Services Center (ASC) at (404) 385-1111 or submit a General HR Request at asc.gatech.edu.

Reimbursement
For degree programs: Approved applicants may be reimbursed for their complete or partial tuition cost up to six (6) credit hours per semester. Upon completion of course work with a grade of C or better, the Institute will reimburse tuition costs up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours per semester. Please visit the STRAP website for the most up to date reimbursement amount.

The original tuition receipt showing detailed cost of courses, proof of payment, a zero balance and an official transcript must be submitted via Workday for reimbursement. Expenses for fees, books, and other costs will not be reimbursed.

Annual Measurement of Non-Discrimination

Each calendar year benefits under the STRAP program will be measured to confirm that highly compensated employees do not favorably benefit under the program.